Novak Djokovic explains how close he came to walking out of Wimbledon - 'Something is off'

Novak Djokovic fought health issues during his first round win at Wimbledon but needed four sets to eventually see off Alexandre Muller 6-1, 6-7, 6-2, 6-2 as he goes in search of another Grand Slam. He admitted "something is off with the stomach" but never considered calling it a day.

The Serbian, who has been a beaten finalist for the past two years, began his latest Wimbledon attempt with a win on Tuesday night under the roof but was evidently in some discomfort throughout the match.

The 38-year-old looked as if he was going to cruise through his opener as he won six consecutive games and lost only two points on serve during a sensational 30-minute first-set display, but after losing the second set on a tiebreak he needed to call a medical timeout.

He received treatment from the doctor, taking a tablet which looked to get him back and firing as he took control of the match in the third set before never looking back, ensuring that his match didn't hit the Wimbledon curfew and carry over into Wednesday.

Djokovic said: "It's great to finish tonight especially before the curfew, I want to thank everyone for staying this late, thank you for the support - it was an amazing atmosphere especially after the roof was closed, it was very loud, hopefully you enjoyed it.

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"It’s great to be back in Wimbledon and obviously I have to say that first and acknowledge the sacredness of this court and the tournament has always meant a lot to me and to many other players, it’s a childhood dream so I never take stepping out on this court for granted.

"I enjoyed myself, obviously a bit less in the second set but I went from feeling my absolute best for a set and a half to my absolute worst for about 45 minutes, whether it was a stomach bug, I don’t know what it is. I struggled with that but the energy came back and I managed to finish the match on a good note."

Djokovic's next assignment will likely have the Wimbledon crowed against him as he face Britain's Dan Evans in the second round. He's now won 40 of his past 42 matches at Wimbledon - those only two defeats coming against Carlos Alcaraz in the past two finals.

Jannik Sinner remains in the hunt for the SW19 title after his French Open heartbreak and secured a routine opening win against fellow Italian Luca Nardi, needing no time at all to land a 6-4, 6-3, 6-0 victory.

The first major upset in the men's draw came as multiple Grand Slam finalist Alexander Zverev was stunned by Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech. The German arrived as the third seed but, after his game from Monday dragged on, he was beaten in a five set thriller.